StopUlez Campaign

Tony Devenish: As the StopUlez campaign and increasing numbers of Londoners are recognising, expanding the Ultra-Low Emission Zone “will hit older people, hard-pressed families and low-paid workers who cannot afford to change their vehicles”. Given the need to keep London moving and the clear unfairness of pressing ahead with your planned ULEZ expansion, what would it take to make you think again and spend the money saved on more electric buses?

The Mayor: The Ultra Low Emission Zone is designed to strike the best balance between maximising the health benefits for Londoners and minimising the cost to drivers in London. The daily charge has been set at a level that will enable occasional trips to be affordable, while at the same time encouraging those who frequently travel into the zone to upgrade their vehicle as they contribute more to the problem.
The communities suffering most from poor air quality are often the most vulnerable. Vulnerablecommunities also suffer the greater burdens from air pollution-related death and sickness.The emissions savings from cars, vans and other non-Transport for London (TfL) vehicles following ULEZ expansion in 2021 is estimated to be five times the potential savings from electrifying the bus fleet.
Nearly80 per cent of vehicles already comply with the ULEZ standard in inner London, meaning 4 in 5 vehicles will not be affected at all. For those that are affected,Ihaveallocated£48mfor scrappage schemeswhich supportlow income, disabled Londoners, small businesses and charities to switch to cleaner vehicles and greener forms of transport.Theschemes havebeen extremely popular, andhave helpedthousands ofvulnerableLondonersandsmall and micro-businesses prepare both for the central London ULEZ from April 2019, and for the ULEZ extension to the North and South Circulars in October 2021.
I also committed to cleaning up London’s bus fleet, with 95 per cent of the fleet already meeting the ultra-clean Euro VI standard and the remainder to follow soon. Furthermore, TfL already has 375 electric buses – the largest fleet in Europe – and is working towards expanding this number to around 450 by next March, subject to the outcome of its ongoing funding negotiations with Government.

Cleaner vehicle discount

Alison Moore: What plans, if any, do you have regarding the extension of the Congestion Charge Cleaner Vehicle Discount beyond December 2025 for Private Hire Vehicles?

The Mayor: There arecurrentlyno plans to make any changes to the Cleaner Vehicle Discount to the Congestion Charge.However, as set out in my Transport Strategy, the scheme will be kept under review.